Join the green revolution by doing your own part at home. If you’re planning for a home improvement project that includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, be sure to consider going eco-friendly. There are endless ways to create a “green” home while staying in style, creating convenience and helping to preserve the earth.
Environmentally friendly kitchen and bathroom remodeling ideas are steadily becoming one of the biggest trends in homes, especially in cities in the Tampa Bay area, where home improvement centers highly encourage going green. After all, we owe it to the planet we live on.
Great Green Home Ideas for your Kitchen:
These green kitchen options will be available through experienced, professional contractors who are on the cutting edge:
- Environmentally friendly flooring
Make the responsible choice for kitchen flooring by using cork, bamboo, or eucalyptus. These materials come from rapidly renewable resources. They are as stylish as hardwood floors, and look terrific.
Use colored concrete materials for your countertops. They are non-toxic and use only natural pigments. Color and style choices are endless, as these deluxe counters are made to order. Get exactly what you want.
- Kitchen windows and skylights
Install large windows and skylights that welcome natural light to brighten the room and save on electric bills. Try to use LED or florescent lights, which are more cost efficient than most traditional bulbs and fixtures.
- Include a recycling area
Make sure you have sets of recycling bins that are appropriately labeled to help you easily and conveniently segregate recyclable waste items.
- Energy efficient appliances
Check the energy rating of all new appliances before purchasing. Advance technologies now allow certain refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines to save up to 50% in energy and water consumption. Choose wisely.
Home improvement ideas to help create an eco-friendly bathroom:
- Water saving fixtures
Going green has a lot to do with conserving water. Ask your contractor about water-efficient, dual-flush toilets that let you choose between two flushing capacities, depending on the need. For your shower heads, install low flow aerator shower heads that reduce the amount of water consumed during showers.
- Eco-friendly towels
Organic towels (made from cotton, hemp or bamboo fibers) are the safest for the environment. Synthetic chemicals such as dyes and chlorine bleach are used in the manufacture of synthetic cotton towels, and some of these towels can even cause allergies. Organic towels are hypo-allergenic and safe for the environment.
- “Green” bathroom tiles
Keep your bathroom in style with classic ceramic tiles that come in all colors and designs. These tiles are durable, low maintenance, and have a low toxic impact on the environment.
These home improvement ideas are great for keeping the style you want, while helping to save the environment. The materials suggested here for your kitchen and bathroom remodeling are readily available in the Tampa Bay area. Ask your professional contractor about using them.
Going eco-friendly can be as stylish and elegant as using more traditional materials. No matter what color your décor, green is definitely in!
Greg Nelson
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.
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